Graeme McDowell is hoping that he can fare better at the DP World Tour Championships this year after previous failings.

McDowell has the opportunity to finish 2013 as the Race to Dubai winner if he can find success at Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth Course this week, with Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson also gunning for the title.

Though McDowell has two wins on the tour this season, the concluding event will be a struggle. His last encounter with the course seeing him end 22 shots off the pace.

He will be not be looking back when he kicks off the tournament on Thursday however, and is hoping that the firmer and faster nature of the course will work in his favor.

"I do feel like I've stood in the (score) recording area out there and had a moan and a whine and maybe explained why I don't get around this course very well," he said.

"But I come here with an open mind this week. I come here certainly as a player who I feel is getting better and learning and I'm experience enough to not write myself off around a golf course until I've had a few rounds under my belt.

"The golf course is firmer and faster this year which I think is going to suit me. The rough is penal.

"The course has matured, hopefully as well as I have, and I'm ready to see what I can do with an open mind this week."